media and security reports alone. "Tripoli is perceived to be the region most likely susceptible to small
weapons’ incidents," she says.
Teachers training teachers to reach kids: a life-saving chain
In May 2011, UNICEF started its engagement in mine risk education in eastern Libya as well as in Misrata.
“By the beginning of 2012, more than 100 Libyan schools had been cleared of remnants of war and
rehabilitated,” says Carel de Rooy, UNICEF Representative. “At the same time, a large number of teachers
and members of local NGOs were trained to deliver risk education sessions to the children, and to
distribute materials to help raise awareness and keep Libyan children safe.”
In December 2011, the EU allocated €2.4 million for an education programme through UNICEF to
improve the quality of basic education, including the development of teaching materials and teacher
training, with a focus on the most vulnerable children. But since the risk of mines was still high, the EU
decided to also provide €2 million funding for mine clearance. These resources enabled the removal
of unexploded ordinances and booby traps in many battleground areas in Libya.
But the need to stress awareness of the danger was widespread. In 2011 and 2012, two mine risk
education workshops were held in Tripoli, under the leadership of the Libyan Ministry of Education,
supported by UNICEF and the EU, and with the participation of the Libyan Ministry of Defence, the
United Nations Mine Action Service and non-governmental organizations involved in the clearance of
mines and explosive remnants of war. As a result, a plan for a comprehensive programme was designed
to be delivered in all Libyan schools. “Training of trainers, sessions for teachers and inspectors, from
diﬀerent parts of the country, have been conducted during 2012/2013 to prepare them as master
trainers,” says Najia Sabkha, coordinator at the Ministry of Education. “Today there are 243 master
trainers engaged in training other teachers across the country.”
Thousands of songs to pass the message
After attending an intensive training course in
December 2011, Khiare Bilhaj, the coordinator in the
city of Zawiya, called the education authority in town
to nominate two teachers from each school in the city.
“Twenty-four teachers from 12 schools responded to
the call and attended the course, and are now ready to
deliver their knowledge to fellow teachers and
children,” says Mr Bilhaj.
“I have benefited from the course myself,” agrees Taher
Abu Nawara, a teacher at Shibani Bin Nasrat School in
Zawiya. “I am ready to share the skills with others in my
school, and I am looking forward to receive the
teacher’s kit that has been prepared by the Ministry of
Education, in cooperation with UNICEF and Handicap
International."
“We have distributed millions of leaflets and posters to

“Kids are more
at risk of being
injured because these
items are often
colourful and
shiny, and are
mistaken for
toys. As for
small arms,
their constant
exposure in
homes, in the
streets, and
even in the
movies, normalizes the
very existence
of these
weapons…”

“By now, about
650,000 children and adults
have better
knowledge of
the risks of
mines and unexploded ordnance”

n

Educational material for
middle school students
explaining the dangers of
handling weapons left
behind in post-conflict zones

Don’t touch, stay safe

p.3

EU Neighbourhood Info Centre – Feature no. 111

primary and secondary schools,” adds Ms Sabkha, “and also
over 6,000 CDs with awareness songs. As part of the outreach
programme, awareness messages were also printed on the
covers of textbooks. By now, about 650,000 children and
adults have better knowledge of the risks of mines and
unexploded ordnance.”
For further support in the classrooms, a teacher's kit has been
designed, with diﬀerent modules on landmines, unexploded
ordinance, small and light weapons. “A teacher’s booklet and
a children's activity book will be merged in one kit, which is
now under its final development stage. It will be distributed
to all schools across Libya," concludes Ms Sabkha.
“I’m now aware of the danger,” says Hosam Nayif, a year nine
student at Shibani Bin Nasrat School. "The posters on the
school board have given me good advice not to touch or
approach strange objects on the street and to stay away from
weapons and explosives."

n

Hossam Bassem Flute with a school friend look at diﬀerent kinds of explosive war remnants

Better trained teachers are key to quality education
“I’m now aware of the danger. The posters on the
As part of ongoing eﬀorts to improve the quality of
school board have given me good advice not to
education in Libya, the European Union and UNICEF are
touch or approach strange objects on the street
supporting authorities in enhancing access to quality
and to stay away from weapons and explosives."
education for all children, with special focus on the most
vulnerable ones. “For example, more than 140 teachers have been trained on child rights, child-centred teaching and positive discipline,”
says Katharina Imhof, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Libya.
One component of the project is to study various aspects of the Libyan teaching system, such as teachers’ qualification, motivation,
recruitment, deployment and management. Classroom observations aim at and lead to action for improved teaching. “Prior to this, a
nationwide school assessment on 4,800 schools was conducted,” says Ms Imhof: “the data and analysis of both studies will inform a high
level road map for more eﬀective teachers’ management, the establishment of a solid Education Management Information System
and enhanced child-friendly school environments. All this action lays a solid ground to enhance
education administration and governance."

Mine Risk Education
The project aims to raise awareness of the danger of explosive remnants of war and small arms and to reduce the danger of
civilian population, particularly children, being exposed to the risk, by delivering ‘train the trainers’ sessions of mine risk education to teachers and members of local NGOs, and by distributing informative materials.
Timeframe:
May 2012 September 2013

To find out more:
UNICEF in Libya:
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/laj.html

EU Neighbourhood Info Centre
An ENPI project
The EU Neighbourhood Info Centre is an EU-funded Regional Information and
Communication project highlighting the partnership between the EU and
Neighbouring countries. The project is managed by Action Global Communications.